Columns of San Lorenzo

02/03/2019 16:34:00

The Unfinished Basilica

The Columns of San Lorenzo (Colonne di San Lorenzo) is a system of 16 ancient Corinthian columns, located in the center of Milan, opposite the church of the same name. These columns were moved here in the 4th century from an ancient temple or Roman baths, which were dismantled elsewhere in the city.

The most prominent feature of the Corinthian columns is the decorative title at the end of the columns. Notice the leaf motifs typical of the Corinthian columns. These leaves on the crown are leaves from a plant called Acanthus, that is also the epithet of these stone reliefs.

With a view of ancient Roman ruins, the columns here give this small square a special and majestic look, in the heart of the bustling city of Milan. The church of San Lorenzo was destroyed during the Renaissance and rebuilt twice.

The Roman ruins of the Columns of San Lorenzo are a lively and noisy meeting place for the Milan youth, who gather around the basilica en masse every evening. Some of them also paint on the walls, making the area an interesting and strange corner of graffiti and modern street art, on the opposite walls, opposite 2,000-year-old antiques.A Closer Look: